Box Score
Led by strong pitching and hot bats at the plate, the UK softball team defeated Ole Miss 9-1 Sunday afternoon at the UK SoftballComplex.
Sophomore hurler Morgan Marr scattered three hits over six innings and gave up only one run as the Wildcats recorded their secondstraight victory over the Rebels.Three UK hitters were perfect at the plate on the day, with sophomore Nikki Jones knocking out three singles and scoring three runs.Catcher Lyndsey Angus reached base all four times at the plate with two walks, a single, and a double while scoring two runs anddriving in three runs. Senior Tiffany Kruse was also perfect at the plate, going 2-2 and recording three RBIs.
Kentucky wasted little time, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Jones reached base with one out by blooping a single toshort center field and moved to second on the first of Angus two walks. After designated player Angie Dal Pozzo lined out to left fieldfor the second out, shortstop Rachel Friberg reached on an error by Rebel second baseman Desiree Layman to load the bases. Krusestepped to the plate and delivered a single to right field, scoring Jones and Angus with Friberg moving to third base. UK then tookadvantage of an Ole Miss defensive lapse when Kruse took off for second base, the catcher threw the ball down, allowing Friberg toscore from third.
The Wildcats added three more runs in the third inning when Jones again singled, followed by another walk issued to Angus. Dal Pozzosingled to center field, scoring Jones from second and moving Angus to third base. Angus crossed the plate when catcher JenniferPoores throw to second base sailed into center field as Dal Pozzo stole second with no one covering the bag, giving UK a 5-0 lead.Kruse singled to score Dal Pozzo.
Ole Miss loaded the bases with no outs and scored their only run of the day in the fourth inning when center fielder Kristi DiMarcoscored from third base as Jamie Cummings grounded to shortstop.Kentucky answered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth when Angus drove an 0-2 pitch to the fence in center field,scoring Leslie Kwiatkowski, and Jones.
It was Angus and Kwiatkowski again in the sixth inning. Kwiatkowski was hit by a pitch for the second time in two at-bats, stolesecond, and came around to score the last run of the game on Angus singled to left field. The game was halted at that point due to theeight-run mercy rule.
“I was very pleased with our overall game today,” said UK coach Beth Kirchner. “All parts came together with pitching, defense,and base-running. We executed very well offensively and on the base paths.”
The Cats (17-18, 4-6 SEC) travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala., Saturday, March 31, for an afternoon doubleheader against the Crimson Tide tobegin a three-game series.
